Football

not sure I've seen a single person (including the pundits, commentators, partisan twitter users etc) claim it was a pen. how much more obvious does it have to be. all of this basically just proves VAR is dumb and bad really

in general terms though, don't disagree england were the better team just don't think they should have got that pen in a world where UEFA insist on imposing VAR on the game

No, Kane touches the ball, penalty.

ultimately my position is counterintuitive really - I don't want VAR in the game because I actually want these types of organic reffing mistakes to be made as they're a crucial part of the drama and fabric of football (even when they do go against your team). (HOWEVER, if VAR is going to be in the game, fkn use it lads eh)

It was soft, but most of the early criticism was VAR slowing the whole game down too much, and now with it having to be an obvious fuck up to bring it back keeps things going whilst picking up the obvious fuck ups, mostly all good.

No one in hindsight thought it was a pen. I've assumed the obvious error is taken from an umpire's call in cricket. IE you privilege the real time interpretation

VAR is literal hindsight no ? like the point of VAR is to give refs the benefit of hindsight. surely the wee VAR ref uses all his hindsight angles and says 'jog on raheem'

anyway, cometh the hour, cometh the man. "si signore, posso ballare 🤌🏻"

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I think England edged it so fair result despite dubious penalty

Looking forward to another game of football on Sunday

Var in this tournament has been good only a couple long waits as far as I can think back. Its not been as intrusive as in the EPL. The reffing has also been of s good standard. Var is part of the elite game now but how its been used in this tournament has been a step in the right direction.

So Brexit beginning to pay off already? And just in time for that cataclysmic third wave of covid too!

Is the constant misspelling of Sterling's name an in-joke that I have missed?

He was excellent again last night.

England have been quite lucky to get through - with the draw and then with the penalty last night - but Southgate has done a cracking job of getting this team to gel in a way that's let them get this far.

England should have won against Denmark, leaving some world class players on the bench while they bring on Brentford players. But to actually do it is different. Italy will be harder.

A wonderful night

Soft penalty + laser in Schmeichel face = Go Italy!

I thought that was a good result. Normally the pressure of being England would have folded that team at 1 down. There was a constant push to get the goals. And they got them.

I liked the idea of bringing Trippier on, Westergaard was fucked and the ability to break quickly at speed in the second extra time showed. Are Jack and Are Luke linked up again and were good.
Raheem Sterling was great. 2 hours of running and when foden came on he stayed wide and wanted it.

A bit weird being in a final but not feeling all caught up in it.

England had the break last night with the penalty. But that goes with the game. They’ve had their breaks which didn’t go their way too, Beckham sent off against Argentina, Lampard's goal that was never given against Germany which directly led to the introduction of goal one technology. And the ultimate hand of god incident.
Denmark had a great plan, they harried and pressed but they ran out of legs. Italy will be a different matter, we will get plenty of possession as they sit back waiting to counter attack.

Some salty ABE action in here last night!

I’m not sure Denmark can complain too much when they basically played for penalties from the half-hour mark.

We always talk about respecting opponents before games, but seem to forget that after games. Before last night Denmark were a quality side who had a good chance of knocking us out. Afterwards, we only got to the final because we had a lucky draw.

I thought Denmark were the best side we have played, but England did a lot of things that they have not managed before in tournaments. Kept their focus after going a goal down. Didn't let the mistakes they made linger on. High energy levels throughout. Tactically disciplined. The 53 pass sequence to manage out the game at the end was the classiest thing I have seen from an England team.

I also didn't rate Phillips and Rice as a midfield before the tournament, but I thought they were exceptional yesterday.

The 53 pass sequence to manage out the game at the end was the classiest thing I have seen from an England team.

That impressed the crap out of me... NEVER seen them do that before... EVER!!

I'm struggling to find a reason to watch the game, I turned on right at the end of the 90mins so missed most of it...

Is there dancing in the streets? I've seen some pretty crazy scenes on Instagram today...

I think Denmark only had ten men on the field then, but I was still amazed.

They were definitely the best side we've faced, but we have also had a pretty easy draw. Germany, apart from the being-Germany aura, were awful. Ukraine absolutely terrible.

The players in white kicked the ball in the direction of maguire who tried to head it into the net

Out neighbours were still going at 5am. Wasn't massively impressed.

Is there dancing in the streets? I've seen some pretty crazy scenes on Instagram today...

Know your audience, Joe. Most of us middle aged suburbanites were tucked up in bed shortly after the final whistle.

Italy will be working overtime hatching a plan to deal with the creativity of Philips and Rice no doubt